Figure 5 - Simultaneous recording of electrical and mechanical activity in opossum smooth muscle esophagus.


From the following article

Esophageal peristalsis

William G. Paterson

GI Motility online (2006)

doi:10.1038/gimo13

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a: The response to swallowing is marked by the mylohyoid muscle electromyogram. With primary peristalsis, note that the delay in onset of depolarization, spike burst, and esophageal contraction in the distal esophagus relates to a marked secondary hyperpolarization (arrow). b: With mid-esophagus balloon distention in the left tracing, the peristaltic velocity is abnormally fast, and it is apparent that the slight delay in onset of contraction at the distal vs. proximal site is due to an initial hyperpolarization of slightly longer duration. However, when balloon distention induces a secondary peristaltic wave of normal velocity (right panel), the marked delay in onset of contraction distally correlates with a secondary hyperpolarization (arrow) that is likely due to reactivation of intrinsic descending inhibitory pathways by contractions occurring upstream. (Source: Paterson,44 with permission.)

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